Assalam o alaikum and hello to my #worldmappin community.
Today I am going to share my personal experience visiting to Shahi Qilla Lahore which is also known as Lahore Fort.This is a great historical place and it has a long history.
The Lahore Fort (Shahi Qilla) is situated in the heart of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.It is near Badshahi Mosque.here is the short history of Lahore fort.
The fort was built in the 11th century by the Ghazanvi empire but the current structure of the Shahi Qilla is (16th to 18th) century Mughal empire built by Mughal emperor Akbar in the 16th century.Jahangir further renovated the fort and Shah Jahan built the Diwan e Khas (Hall of Private audience)and Moti masjid (pearl mosque) to the fort.
During the Sikh and British Era (19th-20th) centuries Sikhs captured the Fort and made significant changes in the early 19th century.After that British East India company took the control of the Fort and made changes by destruction of some old buildings and constructed the new buildings also.
After independence of Pakistan in 1947,Shahi Qilla declared National Monument and underwent restoration work, Today,this is one of the most popular tourist attractions and world heritage sites.
I have visited this Shahi Qilla (royal Fort) many times,but every time I go, my heart gets peace and I feel loved Because it is a historical masterpiece.
Shahi Qilla is surrounded by a vast area and divided into different buildings like,
Alamgiri gate(main entrance gate)
Akbari gate(another gate which belongs to the Mughal emperor Akbar)
Jahangir quadrangle(A beautiful courtyard surrounded by different buildings)
,Khawab Gah e Jahangir(Emperor Jahangir bed room)
Sheesh Mahal(shah Jahan built in the 17th century in the love of his wife.Sheesh Mahal adorned with mirror work)
,Dewaan e Aam( The Hall of public audience) Diwan e Khas(Hall for private audience and used for royal meetings)Moti masjid(A beautiful white marble mosque)
Shahi Hamam(The Royal Baths)
These places reflect the Mughal architecture and have a great impact on life.There were many paintings on the walls.Daily hundreds of people from all over the country and many international tourists visited there to see the historical and cultural heritage.
I visited last week with my family members and we enjoyed there very much spending our all day and the weather was so pleasant.I often visited this place in winter vacations because this season is very suitable for visitors.
First of all I get tickets from ticket house.There were many tickets categories.
Tickets for adults 100 PKR,for children under 10 years 30PKR and for children under 5 years free.
Tickets for international tourists 1000PKR.Beside this students in uniform and researchers are free.I got six(06)tickets in 400Rs.
There were many stalls of different items such as children toys and food outside the Shahi Qilla.When we entered from the Shahi Qilla gate I saw right side a craft house which is called craft Ghar.There were many traditional handicrafts looking beautiful and amazing.Many people were visiting and buying handicrafts.
When I entered the Shahi fort firstly we reached Diwaan e Aam where many people were sitting in the ground and enjoying picnic parties with their families.young boys and girls taking pictures and making videos.The sun was shining brightly.
When we reached inside the Diwan e Aam the photographers were taking pictures In royal costume.They were charging Rs.200PKR per costume and Rs.90PKR.for a picture.I took many pictures in royal costumes of children.They were looking beautiful and Especially my son Usman Khan looked very handsome.
After that we reached at the backside of Diwaan e Aam which is called Jahangir Quadrangle.There were lots of rush of families and children who were playing in the park.There were yellow color flowers looking so beautiful.Quadrangle design is so beautiful designed with symmetrical. Central courtyard surrounded by elegant walkways and buildings.It is covered by beautiful gardens and many fountains which enhance the beauty of The Jahangir quadrangle.We had a lot of fun there and wondered around the area.Children were playing there and my sons also played there football.
After that we saw the buildings like haveli kharak Singh and then moved towards Diwan e Khas there were also people taking pictures and making videos.Photographer taking pictures of visitors in Royal costumes.This building also very beautiful and represents the Mughal architecture.there was a beautiful lawn where children and families were enjoying their moments.we reached and saw the Royal baths which is known by shahi Hamam and than we move towards Sheesh Mahal.
Sheesh Mahal is a stunning and masterpiece of Mughal architecture and brilliance it was built by Shah Jahan.The use of mirrors on the outer surface in construction makes it attractive,enhances the charm and beauty.The Sheesh Mahal(mirrors palace)built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz begum.The palace is memorial to their love story.
At the end we visited the handicrafts stalls and purchased some items.There were a large collection of beautiful handicrafts we enjoyed seeing these crafts.we spend all the day In Shahi Fort.We ate Biryani in lunch there.Eventually we got tired of walking around in Shahi Fort and return to home.This visit of shahi Qilla was very interesting and I enjoyed those moments by heart.
At the end I am thankful for those who read my post.This is my first post in #worldmappin community i hope you read and enjoyed it.My writing is not so good.But your feedback is important to me for improving my writing skills.I will meet you in my next post very soon...Insha Allah.